Catoosa Commission tables proposed $35 million Hutcheson bailout

Catoosa Commission tables proposed $35 million Hutcheson bailout

The Catoosa County Commission held off on a proposed $35 million bailout of Hutcheson Medical Center at a meeting this morning.

After meeting behind closed doors for about 40 minutes, commissioners came out and tabled a motion to issue $35 million in bond anticipation notes toward the Fort Oglethorpe hospital's $60 million in debt.

Speaking to a standing-room-only audience, Chairman Keith Greene said the commissioners needed more information.

"We don't take this decision lightly," Greene said. "This is a big deal. There's a lot of risk involved."

The announcement got a smattering of applause from the anti-tax activists amongst the crowd comprised mostly of employees and supporters of the hospital, which is owned by Catoosa, Walker and Dade counties.